Alliance Française Dubai offers group classes, private tuition, and online courses for all levels, from complete beginners to advanced speakers. Courses are designed for adults, teenagers, and children, with schedules built around evenings, weekends, and intensive formats. Every new student who is not a complete beginner takes a placement test to be assigned to the class that matches their level. Classes take place at our Oud Metha and Dubai Knowledge Park centres, and select courses are also available online. Our teaching follows the same standards used across the worldwide Alliance Française network, combining classroom practice with cultural immersion.

A placement test is required for any student applying to a level above complete beginner, so we can place you in the class that best matches your current French level. The test result remains valid for six months from the date it is taken. A fee applies for the placement test, which is deducted from your tuition fees once you enrol. Complete beginners can register directly without taking a test. If you are unsure which level to choose, our team can guide you through the process before you book.

A one-time registration fee of AED 100 is required when you first enrol, and it stays valid for 12 months from the date of payment. This fee includes a complimentary membership, giving you access to our library, discounted rates, and invitations to special cultural events for the full 12-month period. Registration is only confirmed once payment has been received in full, and tuition fees are non-refundable and non-transferable once a term has begun. You can pay by cash, credit card, online payment, or through Tabby and Tamara. After the first year, the registration fee applies again to renew access to these member benefits.

Membership gives you access to a range of benefits beyond regular course enrolment, including borrowing privileges at our French-language library, preferential rates on selected courses and activities, and invitations to cultural events held throughout the year. Several membership packages are available, each tailored to different needs, from casual access to our resources to more comprehensive cultural and learning packages. Anyone who registers for a course automatically receives a complimentary membership valid for 12 months. Memberships can also be purchased independently by anyone wishing to engage with French language and culture without enrolling in a course. Full details on current packages and pricing are available on our Membership page.

Alliance Française Dubai operates from two centres: one in Oud Metha and one in Dubai Knowledge Park. Both locations host group classes, private tuition, exams, and cultural activities, giving students flexibility to choose the centre most convenient for them. Private tuition can also be booked online for students who prefer to learn remotely. Course and exam availability can vary by location and by teacher schedule, so it is best to check directly when registering. Our library and membership benefits are accessible at both centres.

Refund and credit note terms depend on when you cancel relative to the start of your term. If you submit a written request at least five working days before your term begins, tuition and registration fees are refunded by bank transfer or credit note, minus a small administrative fee. Once a term has started, no refunds are issued, but a credit note can be granted for documented medical or professional reasons, valid for six months from the date of issue. Absences for personal reasons during a term are not compensated or refunded under any circumstances. Full details are available in our Terms and Conditions, and refund requests must always be submitted by email to our team.

No prior French knowledge is required for most camps. Our sessions are designed to welcome complete beginners while still challenging more advanced participants. Children are assessed on arrival and placed in the group that best matches their level.

Registration is done online through our booking page. The camp fee covers all activities, materials, and supervision throughout the day. Lunch is not included unless stated otherwise — please check the details of the specific session you are booking.

Our holiday camps are designed for children and teenagers aged 3 to 9. Sessions are grouped by age to ensure activities, language level, and pace are appropriate for each group. Please check the specific camp page for the exact age brackets available per session.

A full camp day runs from 9:00 to 14:00 and combines structured French language sessions in the morning with creative workshops, outdoor activities, sports, and cultural experiences in the afternoon. Every day has a different rotation of activities to keep things fresh and engaging.

Please notify us as early as possible if your child will be absent or needs to leave early. Early pick-up must be arranged in advance with our team. No refunds are issued for individual missed days, but we are happy to discuss your situation if exceptional circumstances arise.

Alliance Française Dubai offers French courses for every level, from complete beginners to advanced speakers, and for every age group, including young children, kids, teenagers, and adults. Course content and teaching style are adapted to the age group, so a class for young children looks very different from an adult course, even at the same starting level. We also offer courses for native French-speaking children who want to maintain and develop their language skills. Whatever your age or current level, there is a course pathway designed for you. Our team can help you choose the right course if you are unsure where to start.

Complete beginners can register directly into a beginner course without any test. If you or your child has some prior knowledge of French, a placement test is required to confirm the appropriate level before enrolling, and the result stays valid for six months. A fee applies for the placement test, but it is deducted from your tuition fees once you enrol. This ensures every student is placed in a class where the pace and content genuinely match their ability. Our team is available to guide you through this process before you book a course.

Group classes follow a set schedule with a class of fellow students at the same level, and are a more affordable, socially engaging way to learn. Private tuition is one-to-one or in small groups of two to three people who share the same level and goals, offering more flexibility around timing and a fully personalized pace. Private packages are available in different hour bundles and must be used within six months of purchase. Private tuition can take place at our centers or online, depending on teacher availability, though not at the student’s home. Both formats are taught to the same teaching standards and can be combined with exam preparation if needed.

Late registrations are accepted up to a maximum of two missed classes into a term/session. If more than two classes have already taken place, enrolment becomes subject to a short catch-up before joining the group. This ensures you are not left behind on content already covered. A late-bird discount may apply for registrations missing three weeks or more, subject to the same placement conditions, though this is only available for onsite registration. Speak to our team as early as possible if you are considering joining partway through a term.

Yes, a minimum of four participants is required for a group course to go ahead. If this minimum is not reached, Alliance Française Dubai reserves the right to cancel the course, and affected students are offered a refund, a credit note, or the option to continue in a class with equivalent level. Class sizes are also capped at the upper end, ranging from 8 to 12 students depending on the course type, and registration closes once a class is full. We recommend registering early, both to secure your spot and to help confirm that a course will run.

Several discounts may apply depending on your situation: an early-bird discount for registering ahead of a session deadline, a new-student discount for anyone enrolling with us for the first time, and a family discount starting from a second family member registering together. Cardholders of certain partner programmes, such as FAZAA, ESAAD, or Emirates Platinum, may also qualify for a discount for immediate family members, available only for onsite registration. These discounts cannot be combined with one another and apply to course fees only, not to registration fees, materials, or exams. Current offers are confirmed at the time of registration by our team.

Alliance Française Dubai is an official examination centre for internationally recognised French-language diplomas, including the DELF and DALF, which are issued by the French Ministry of Education and valid for life. These diplomas cover the full range of levels defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, from A1 for beginners to C2 for near-native proficiency. Candidates can choose the exam level that matches their current ability, whether or not they have taken a course with us. Full details on the exams currently offered are listed on our Exams page. Our team can help you identify the right exam for your goals, whether academic, professional, or personal.

A preparation course is not compulsory, but we strongly recommend it to give yourself the best chance of success. Our exam-prep courses are taught by teachers familiar with the specific format, timing, and grading criteria of each diploma, and focus on the exact skills examiners assess. Candidates who prepare with us practise past exam-style exercises across listening, reading, writing, and speaking. These courses run on a schedule aligned with upcoming exam sessions, so timing your registration matters. You can register for exam preparation independently of registering for the exam itself.

Exam fees vary by diploma and level, and current pricing is available on our Exams page or from our team directly. Fees are refundable only if you cancel during the official registration period for that exam session. Once registration has closed, no refund or credit is granted, including in cases of absence on exam day, whether planned or unforeseen. Because of this, we recommend confirming your level and availability before registering. Payment can be made using the same methods accepted for course registration.

Exam registration is handled directly through Alliance Française Dubai, either online or at one of our centres, during the official registration window for each session. Seats for each exam session are limited, so we recommend registering as early as possible once a session opens. Results and certificates are issued according to the timelines set by the awarding body for that diploma, rather than by Alliance Française Dubai. You will be informed of the expected results date at the time of registration. Certificates for successful candidates are typically collected in person from the centre where the exam was taken.

No, our exam sessions are open to external candidates as well as students currently enrolled in our courses. You do not need to have taken a course with us to register, though we do recommend an appropriate level of preparation for the diploma you choose. Current students benefit from teachers already familiar with the exam format through our exam-prep courses. External candidates can register through the same process and are welcome to join a preparation course beforehand if they wish. Both groups sit the exam under the same official conditions and grading standards.

As an official examination centre, Alliance Française Dubai administers diplomas under the same standards and conditions used across the worldwide Alliance Française network, so your certification is recognised internationally. Our examiners and invigilators are trained on the specific format and grading criteria for each diploma level. Sitting the exam at a centre you may already be familiar with, alongside dedicated preparation courses, can help reduce exam-day stress. We also support candidates with guidance on choosing the right level and exam date for their goals. Results and certificates are processed and made available to you directly through our centre.

Anyone who registers for a course at Alliance Française Dubai automatically receives a complimentary library membership for 12 months as part of their registration fee. The library is also open to non-students, who can purchase a membership independently to borrow books, films, and other French-language resources. Membership fees are payable at the time of registration and are non-refundable and non-transferable once paid. You can sign up at either of our centres or find current membership options on our Library page. A membership card gives you access to browse and borrow from our full collection.

The standard loan period for library items is 21 days, and most loans can be renewed once, provided the item has not been reserved by another member. The exact number of items you can borrow at one time depends on the type of membership you hold. Some items in the collection are reference-only or otherwise excluded from borrowing, which will be indicated at the time of checkout. Renewals and availability can be checked at the library desk or through your membership account. Returning items on time helps keep titles available for other members.

A refundable deposit may be required when you register for a library membership, in addition to the membership fee itself. This deposit is returned at the end of your membership period, as long as all borrowed items have been returned in good condition. Unclaimed deposits remain valid for up to five years from the date of payment; after that period, they are considered retained by Alliance Française Dubai. If you renew your membership without a break, your existing deposit typically carries over. It is worth keeping your payment receipt as proof when requesting your deposit back.

If a borrowed item is lost or damaged while in your care, you are responsible for either replacing it or reimbursing Alliance Française Dubai for its value. In these cases, all or part of your membership deposit may be retained to cover the cost. We recommend reporting a lost or damaged item to library staff as soon as possible rather than waiting until the item is due, since this can affect how the situation is resolved. Normal wear from regular reading is expected and is treated differently from accidental damage or loss. Our team can advise on replacement options if the same title is out of print.

Beyond our physical book collection, the library gives members access to TV5MONDE, a French-language streaming platform with shows, news, and films suited to different proficiency levels. Our team regularly curates recommendations of books and films for learners at various stages, which are featured on the Library page and updated periodically. The collection spans fiction, non-fiction, and learning materials for both adults and younger readers. Members can also use the library as a quiet space to read, study, or practise French independently. Staff at the reception desk can help you find resources that match your level and interests.

The library is a shared, quiet space, so members are expected to keep noise to a minimum out of respect for others who are reading or studying. Eating, drinking, and using mobile phones are not permitted inside the reading areas. Children under the age of nine must be accompanied by an adult at all times while in the library. Borrowed items should be handled carefully and returned by their due date to avoid loss or damage charges. These rules apply across all of our library locations.